Dry cleaning apparatus and fluid circulating system therefor



Nov. 30; 1937. L. ANGELUS ET AL 2,101,014

DRY CLEANING APPARATUS AND FLUID CIBCULATING SYSTEM THEREFOR Filed April 12, 1935 rm Clean/E17 (lean/n Drum I g I Drum 15 Fun I 7 Fro/fl (lean/n9 [lean/ivy Drum Drum INVENTORS, Louis Daaablfiawrm Patented Nov. 30, 1937 UNITED STATES amen DRY CLEANING APPARATUS AND FLUID I CIRCULATING SYSTEM THEREFOR Louis Angelus, New York, and Daniel Lawrence Baylis, Bellerose, N. Y.; said Baylis minor to said Angelus Application April 12, 1935, Serial No. 15,988

, 1 Claim.

Our present invention relates generally to cleaning apparatus, and has particular reference to an apparatus intended for the so-called dry cleaning of garments and the like.

One of the main objects of our invention is to provide a unitary and compact apparatus and fluid circulating system, whereby a fixed quantity of cleaning fluid may be employed and reemployed over a period of time, except for such minor additional amounts of fluid as may be required, occasionally, to make up for losses.

When garments are immersed in a cleaning fluid, the fluid becomes contaminated with-impurities. In order for the fluid tobe capable of eflicient reuse, these impurities must be removed. A simple mechanical filtering action will serve to eliminate certain of the impurities, but this alone is insumcient because there are types of impurities, such as greases, which pass right through a mechanical filter.

Cleaning fluid being relatively expensive, it is unfeasible to discard it entirely, and, there fore, many attempts have been made in the past to purify the same by various means. Sometimes, the fluid is subjected to a distilling operation, whereby greases and the like, boiling at a higher temperature than the fluid, are separated out. otherfinethods involve the use of alkalis or other chemicals for the purpose of saponifying or otherwise capturing the greases and suspended im purities and permitting the clarified fluid to be decanted.

It is one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus which is so compact that it may be feasibly installed in relatively small establishments. Systems involving distillation, saponiflcation, or other similar treatments of the fluid are much too cumbersome and expensive for an apparatus of this type. Accordingly, it is a characterizing feature of the present invention to provide an arrangement whereby the cleaning fluid may be efficiently andj continuously purified and clarified by a means diiferent from those hereinbefore alluded to.

5 More specifically, it is a feature of our invention to harness the phenomenon of adsorption to 'our present purpose, by subjecting the cleaning fluid, in a unique manner, to an adsorptive 50 material, such as fullers earth.

One of the features of our present system resides in the employment of a porous bag or its equivalent, the bag having a layer or deposit of adsorptive material lining its inside surface, and 55 a closed circulatory system forcing the cleaning fluid continuously into and through the bag.

This results in subjecting the fluid to the action of the adsorptive lining, whereby those impurities which have escaped removal by an ordinary mechanical filter are separated from the fluid by 5 virtue of the fact that the-adsorptive material has a greater affinity for them than the fluid itself has- Periodically, of course, the adsorptive material must be replaced, and it is a further feature of 10 our invention to provide a means in the circulatory system for permitting the introduction into the system at intervals of a predetermined fresh charge of the adsorptive material. More particularly, we provide a novel arrangement of 15 chamber in the circulatory system, the chamber being adapted to accommodate a frangible cartridge containing a measured charge of the material, whereby the continuous circulation of the fluid causes the latter to pick up the adsorptive material, carrying it into the porous bag, and depositing the same .in the form of the layer desired on the inside surface of the bag.

Another important feature of our invention lies in the means whereby the fluid is subjected, also. 1 I

to a pure mechanical filtering action. In one embodiment, a mechanical filter of the pressure type is-arranged in series with the aforementioned bag. In another embodiment, the porous bag upon which the adsorptive lining is formed is itself capable of fulfilling a mechanical filtering action.

The present invention is applicable to apparatuses and systems of the so-called batch type, or the so-called "continuous" type. Where the invention is applied to "batch cleaning, it is a further feature of our invention to permit selected quantities of the purified fluid to be withdrawn from and returned to the circulatory system without impairing the continuous circulation 4o successively through the mechanical fllter and the adsorptive material.

As a direct result of the features of our invention, as hereinbefore illustratively specified,

a fixed quantity of cleaning fluid may be repeatedly used and reused in an apparatus of such utter simplicity that the present type of installation may be deemed to be entirely different in kind fromthe ordinary cumbersome and expensive installations which have heretofore sought to accomplish the same general objective.

We achieve the foregoing objects. and such other-objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawing, wherein-- Figure 3 is an elevational cross-sectional view through the chamber forming part of the circulatory system; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view through a porous bag of the present character.

In the apparatus and system of Figure 1, which is the type of installation employed for so-called batch cleaning, a suitable reservoir tank or chamber 50 has one or more porous bags ii mounted therein. The detailed structure of each bag forms no part of our present invention, but it has been found feasible to make each bag substantiaily cylindrical in cross-section with one end secured, as at 12, to a supporting ring or framework which has a communication to a conduit l3. Where a plurality of bags are used, they may be conveniently mounted in association with a header or manifold 14 interposed between the conduit 13, on the one hand, and the plurality of bags, on the other.

Leading from the chamber 20 is a conduit i5 which leads into the conduits l6 and H, preferably through the intermediary of a two-way valve 18. The valve is of a character which permits either the conduit H5 or the conduit I? to be placed into communication with the conduit i6, but never both together.

A suitable pump 19 is mounted in the conduit :6 and is adapted to pump the fluid continuously into the outlet conduit 20. In the latter, a twoway valve 2i permits a connection to be established, at will, with either the conduit 22 or the conduit 23. The latter conduit leads into the special chamber 24 (presently to be described in greater detail) and the outlet from the chamber 24 leads into the conduit I3 hereinbefore referred to.

For a purpose hereinafter to be explained, a relatively small bleeding conduit or by-pass 25 establishes a continuous direct connection between the conduits 20 and i3.

The conduit 22 leads, as indicated in the drawing, to a suitable cleaning drum or chamber or a plurality of such devices, where the actual dry cleaning process is to be carried out; and, similarly, the conduit I! leads from the cleaning drum or drums. Since these drums or chambers form no direct part of the present invention, they have not been shown in the drawing.

Before describing the operation of our present system, reference will be had to Figure 3, in which the present special chamber 24 is more clearly depicted. This chamber is preferably cylindrical in shape; is composed of suitable metal; and is provided with an inlet 26 and an outlet 21, whereby the fluid from the conduit 23 is directed into the. chamber 24 and thence outwardly into the conduit l3.

A removable cover 21 is provided on the chamber 24, and any suitable clamping means may be arranged to permit this cover to be securely clamped into position, or opened, as may be desired.

In accordance with our invention, there is mounted in the bottom wall of the chamber 24, in alignment with the outlet 21, a stiletto-like, perforated projection 28. The perforations are designated by the, reference numeral 29, and the projection maybe conveniently provided, in the removable cover (not shown).

form of a separate element having the collar 30 and the threaded portion 3|, the latter being screwed into engagement with the outlet neck 21.

The chamber 24 is adapted to accommodate a measured charge 'of suitable adsorptive material, and our invention contemplates the accommodation of such a charge within afrang' ible container 32, which may be made, for example, of tin'or the like. 33 of adsorptive material, is adapted to fit snugly within the chamber 24, and is provided with a When a charge is to be inserted into the circulating system, the cover 21 is removed; the container 32 is impaled downwardly over the projection 28; the upper cover of theeontaine'r 32 is then removed and discarded; and the cover 2'! is then replaced. The flow of fluid into the chamber 24 is thereby constrained to pass through the charge 33, picking up the adsorptive material, and thence through the perforations29 and into the conduit l3. This leads, in turn, to the bag or bags H, and as a result, a deposit 34 of adsorptive material presently forms upon the inside surface of the bag or bags H, as indicated in Figure 4.

The operation of the apparatus and system of Figure 1 is as follows.

The operator arranges first that the valves 58 and 2| seal ofi the conduits ll and 22. He then starts the pump 19, and this establishes a continuous flow of cleaning fluid through the chamber 24, into and through the bag or bags El, and thence through the pump 19. Assuming that the operator has freshly loaded the chamber 24 with a charge of adsorptive material, there is presently deposited on the inner surface of the bag or bags H a layer 34of adsorptive material. The fluid is constrained to pass into and through the bag or bags H, thus compelling it to pass outwardly through the layer 34. Any impuritiesin the fluid,

of the character which are adapted to be adsorbed, are picked up and held by the layer 34. More solid impurities are subjected to a mechanical filtration action during the passage through the bag or bags H. As aresult, the fluid drawn out of the conduit I5 and forced by the pump into the conduit 20 is substantially purified.

When a cleaning operation is to. be performed,

the operator turns thevalve 2 I- so as to cause the fluid in the conduit 20 to pass into the conduit 22 and thence into the cleaning drum. During this operation, the continuous circulation of the fluid through the adsorptive material remains unimpaired, because of the by-pass 25. Afterthe desired quantity of fluid is in the cleaning drum or drums, the valve .2! is manipulated to reestablish the normal connection between the-con-- duits 20 and 23. H

The cleaning operation having been completed, the valve I8 is manipulated to establish a connection between the conduits l1 and I6, whereby the contaminated fluid from the cleaning drum is drawn back into the circulatory system; and

The container 32, containing the charge when all the fluid has been returned, the valve Periodically, it is necessary to clean-or replace the bag or bags H, and this is preferably accomplished at the time that a fresh charge of adsorptive material is loaded into the chamber. 24. During this process, the fluid may be conveniently pumped through the conduit 22, into one or more cleaning drums, where it can be tempo-.

rarily accommodated or stored until the replacement of the bag and loading of the chamber 24 has been .accomplished.

In Figure 2, we have shown the manner in which the present invention is applicable to a so-called continuous system of cleaning. In this case, the conduit 35 leads from the cleaning drum or drums to the pump 36, and is thence directed through the mechanical filter 31, then into the chamber '24, and then into and through the bagor bags II. The latter is mounted in a compartment or tank 38 from which a conduit 39 leads back to the cleaning drum or drums.

In the system of Figure 2, the fluid, as before, is subjected continuously to a mechanical filtering action and also to a passage through a porous bag having a lining of adsorptive material. The chamber 24 is of the character illustrated in Figure 3, and may be charged and recharged, as hereinbefore described. The bag II is of the character illustrated in Figure 4.

Where the systemis continuous, as in Figure 2, the separate mechanical filter 31 is preferable because of the added filtering capacity that is required. (Also, because of the separate filter 31 (which may be 01' any suitable character, preferably of the so-called pressure type) it is usually satisfactory to employ only a single bag ll.)

While our invention is not restricted to any specific type of adsorptive material, nor to any specific cleaning fluid,- we will mention that the fluid may be of any well-recognized type, such as synthetic, chlorinated hydrocarbons, petroleum base cleaning solvents, benzine, Stoddard solution, or the like. The adsorptive material is a suitable mixture of fullers earth'or other clay, charcoal or the like, and kieselguhr. These ingredients are suitably chosen and intermixed to provide for the removal of pigmentation from the fluid, for the withdrawal of colorless oils which would cause rancidity, and for the general removal or adsorption of such impurities as would otherwise remain unaffected by a mechanical filtering action. The mixture should be of such a constituency that it will not clog the pores of the porous bag in which the liningjis formed.

It will thus beseen that we have provided an apparatus and fluid circulating system of uniquely efllcient character. Not only is the complete installation of unusually compact and relatively inexpensive type, but the operation of the system is entirely practical and of great simplicity. A given quantity of cleaning fluid may be repeatedly used; the garments that are cleaned are capable of subjection always to a purified and uncontaminated fluid; and at very small expense,

and without any special skill or cumbersome in-- stallation, the operator is enabled periodically to replenish the means which effects the continuous clarification of the fluid.

difliculty. It is characteristic of most cleaning fluids that, where impurities are allowed to accumulate in ever-increasing amounts, the dimculty of thereupon removing them becomes dis:- proportionately great. By the present system, whether the same be applied to a batch apparatus or a continuous apparatus, the fluid is always subjected to an immediate purification which prevents any building up of undue contamination. In the batch system, for example, whatever batch of fluid has been used for a cleaning operation is immediately returned to the closed circulatory system, where it is'subjected at once to the purification action and merges, once again, with the balance of the fluid which has been continuously undergoing the purification process. Accordingly, the operator is enabled at any time to withdraw from the system a selected quantity of fluid, with the assurance that the fluid is more than adequately pure for cleaning purposes.

It is to be understood that the details herein described and illustrated, for the purpose of explaining the nature of our invention, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from i the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is, therefore, intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described our invention, and illustrated its use, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- In a dry cleaning apparatus, a porous bag, a closed circulatory system whereby a quantity of cleaning fluid is continuously forced into and through said bag, a layer of adsorptive material lining the inside of said has, a cartridge having I an openable top and a frangible bottom and containing a measured charge of said material, a chamber in the circulatory system adapted to accommodate said cartridge, and means associated with said chamber for puncturing the trangible bottom of said cartridge during its insertion thereinto. LOUIS ANGELUS'.

DANIEL L. vIBAYLIS. 

